[ back ]
Munson considers deal for golf-course property
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - July 28, 2010)
Munson considers deal for golf-course property
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
Munson Township Trustees announced last week that they have the opportunity to preserve a large portion of the Chagrin River valley, including 1.2 miles of the river's corridor.
Trustees can buy Fowler's Mill Golf Course at 13095 Rockhaven Road, which has 458 acres of land, a 7,660-square-foot clubhouse, two picnic pavilions, maintenance buildings and a barn.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for the township to acquire a high-quality building and ecologically important land and water resources," Trustee Irene McMullen said. "We are excited to explore the possibilities further."
The offer came from the Fowler's Mill Group LLC, which purchased the property in December 2009.
The $5.5 million asking price for the property will be mostly paid for through an Ohio Environmental Protection Agency water resources restoration sponsorship program. The program will provide about $5 million of that total. The township will be responsible for $468,000, which includes settlement costs.
Munson officials said they will seek other grants to cover the township's purchase costs.
Another $395,000 is expected for restoration work along the Chagrin River, according to trustees. Munson is seeking grants to cover that cost, as well.
The deal came together after representatives of the golf course met with trustees in a closed-door session in mid-April.
Trustee Andy Bushman said much work needs to be done before trustees decide to close the deal. "It's not a done deal," he said.
The money from the state seems almost assured, he said, as the project was ranked second among 10 projects under the program.
Mr. Bushman said golf-course officials plan to set aside two parcels of about 12 acres to be used for residential development. Another 13 acres, which includes the clubhouse, will be open to township use, he said. Mr. Bushman said that is large enough to accommodate a new soccer field and ball fields.
Usage of the remaining acreage, he said, is unknown until township officials can meet with EPA representatives to discuss restrictions on the property.
Trustee Todd Ray said trustees understand that 175 feet on either side of the river corridor will be a "no-mow" zone.
Mr. Bushman said a "worst-case scenario" may be that the EPA restricts any public access to the property. In that case, he said, trustees likely would nix the deal.
As for using the clubhouse for new township offices, rather than build a new one, Mr. Bushman said that is something that would have to be discussed. He said the golf-course property is located in one of the least populated areas of the township and a move to that location would have to be justified.
While trustees said they were not actively looking to add to the township's land holdings, but recognized that preserving a substantial amount of the Chagrin River corridor at little cost to the township was worth considering to protect water resources.
A tentative time frame for acquiring the property has been set. Trustees expect the EPA to finalize the list of projects for funding by July. By December, the township could purchase the property.
Mr. Bushman said all factors, including lost tax revenues, will be looked at before closing the deal. "You can't look at the fourth or fifth slice; you have to look at the whole loaf of bread," he said. "We'll have to look at the economic benefit of vacant land vs. developed land."
Geauga County Auditor Frank Gliha said the property yields $75,000 a year in property taxes, of which $12,000 goes to Munson Township. About $49,000 of that total is split between the West Geauga and Chardon school districts. Two of the three parcels comprising the property are in the West Geauga School District. Another $200,000 to $300,000, he said, is received from sales taxes.
Fowler's Mill Golf Course would continue to operate as it does today until November 2011. At that time, the township would take full control and begin use of the clubhouse and restoration work on the land.
The township discussed possibly forming a committee to study the proposal. Trustees plan to hold a series of workshops following their regularly scheduled Aug. 10 meeting.
[ back ]
